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Ukraine's envoy claims 10 new deaths despite cease-fire

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

- Ukraine’s ambassador to the UN has also alleged that pro-Russian separatists have shelled Ukrainian troops 164 times since the truce.

GENEVA (AA) - Ten Ukrainian servicemen were killed and 34 others were wounded during the past 24 hours despite a cease-fire between Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists, Ukraine’s ambassador to the UN said Tuesday.

"The fragile cease-fire in eastern Ukraine is in danger because of constant attacks and provocations by the Russian-backed terrorists," Yurii Klymenko told reporters in Geneva.

Klymenko also said that a total of 164 shelling incidents were carried out against the Ukrainian military since the truce came into effect on Feb. 15.

Rupert Colville, spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that there might be a few thousand civilians trapped in cellars or other parts of buildings in the volatile eastern region without food, water and other basic necessities.

Fighting between government forces and pro-Russian separatists broke out in Ukraine's Donbass region in April 2014.

In September and December 2014, both sides agreed to two cease-fire agreements, which lasted until Jan. 12, when fighting broke out throughout the region.

Since the beginning of the conflict, an estimated 5,665 people have been killed and 13,961 others have been injured in eastern Ukraine, according to the UN.